This Week in the BRN Family shares quick highlights of BRN churches and ministries throughout Pennsylvania and South Jersey loving their neighbors. Check out the latest happenings, baptisms, and accelerating Kingdom movement stories below:
Congratulations, 2024 graduates!
Books have been closed, caps have been tossed, and diplomas have been collected, which means it’s time to congratulate all of our Pennsylvania/New Jersey graduates! Across PA/NJ, there were nearly 20 individuals who graduated this spring and are connected to our BRN churches or received their degree from one of the six SBC seminaries. Congratulations, graduates! Your BRN Family is proud of you!
Ryan Day | Doctor of Ministry
On May 11, Ryan Day, senior pastor at Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa., graduated with his Doctor of Ministry degree from Clarks Summit University (Baptist Bible Seminary). He also had the honor of sharing a testimony/speech as part of the Commencement ceremony. Congratulations, Dr. Day!
Natalie Arter | MA in Biblical Counseling
On May 3, Natalie Arter, wife of Daniel Arter, senior pastor at Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Philipsburg, Pa., graduated from Bob Jones University and BJU Seminary with her Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling. Natalie completed her degree while working full-time, counseling as a full-time grad student, and supporting her husband in ministry. Well done and congratulations, Natalie!
Graduates from SBC Seminaries
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary:
Pennsylvania Graduates:
- Deanna Jean Henry | MA in Biblical Counseling
- Byungwook Michael Kim | Master of Divinity – School of Theology
- Melissa Madain | MA in Church Ministries
- Zachary Matthew McAlack | Doctor of Ministry – School of Theology
- Timothy Isaac Svendsen | Master of Divinity
- Jonathan Randall Thiede | Master of Divinity – Billy Graham School
New Jersey Graduates:
- Sergio Amedeo Fossa | Master of Theology – School of Theology
- Sulia Abubakarr Mason III | Master of Divinity
- Justin Warriner | MA Ethics & Public Theology
Boyce College:
Pennsylvania Graduates:
- Tenley Ann Mileski | Bachelor of Science
- Reeve Mulhollen | Bachelor of Science
New Jersey Graduates:
- Jacob Tedeschi | Bachelor of Science
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary:
Pennsylvania Graduates:
- Seth James Beech | MDiv with Christian Ministry (Middleburg)
- Jay Anthony Batch | BA in Pastoral Ministry (Pittsburgh)
New Jersey Graduates:
- Glen William Thompson | MA in Ethics, Theology, and Culture (Blackwood)
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary:
Pennsylvania Graduates:
- Patrick B. Hoffmann | Certificate in Biblical Counseling
- David J. Brennan | MDiv from the School of Theology
Ministry Milestones:
SOAR Church senior pastor is awarded FBI Community Leadership Award
On April 19, Dr. Tom Dawson, senior pastor of The SOAR Church in Woodbine, New Jersey, was awarded the FBI Newark 2023 Director’s Community Leadership Award in Washington D.C. Dawson received the award for his faithful commitment to the community of Cape May County. He was one of only 50 recipients nationwide to receive this distinguished award.
Congratulations, Dr. Dawson! Thank you for serving your community so well for the sake of Christ. Your BRN Family is proud of you!
The First Baptist Church of Ulysses, Pa., celebrates the ordination of Pastor Matt Carswell
On Sunday, June 2, The First Baptist Church of Ulysses in Potter County, Pa., celebrated the ordination of Matt Carswell. BRN Executive Director Barry Whitworth preached the Word and then joined the church in praying over Matt and his wife, Sabrina. Multiple BRN leaders had the honor of sitting on Carswell’s ordination council, including Kenton Hunt, PA/NJ director of disaster relief; Josh Coldren, BRN church health consultant; David Ludwig, BRN associate director of church health and discipleship; and Dr. Barry Whitworth.
Congratulations, Pastor Matt and Sabrina! Welcome to the BRN Family!
Be a part of This Week in the BRN Family
Have exciting things happening in your church!? Let us know so we can celebrate with you and share the good news with our BRN Family. Submit stories of your church accelerating Kingdom movement, loving their neighbors or celebrating baptisms on our News Tips page. We can’t wait to hear from you!
